Alternatives to RustDesk
An open-source remote desktop tool you can point at your own relay server instead of somebody else’s cloud. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
RustDesk
An open-source remote desktop tool you can point at your own relay server instead of somebody else’s cloud.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as RustDesk.
AnyDesk
Fast remote desktop tool with low latency and simple session codes.
AnyDesk is closed source and runs through its own service with simple session codes, adds an iOS client, and needs a paid license for commercial use.
TeamViewer
Remote access and remote support across desktop and mobile platforms.
TeamViewer is closed source and hosted, covering iOS as well, with no self-hosted relay option, and commercial use requires a paid licence enforced by detection.
MeshCentral
A self-hosted remote monitoring and management server with web-based remote desktop, terminal and file transfer for every machine you run an agent on.
MeshCentral is a self-hosted Apache-2.0 management server with web-based remote desktop, terminal and file transfer, requiring an agent on each machine and more setup work.
Chrome Remote Desktop
Google's free remote desktop service for reaching and controlling your computers from a web browser.
Chrome Remote Desktop is free and used from a web browser, but it requires a Google account and connections always run through Google's service.
NoMachine
High-performance remote desktop with audio, video and file transfer.
NoMachine is paid and closed source with an iOS client, focused on smooth audio and video, multi-monitor, printing and file transfer, without a self-hosted relay.
RealVNC Connect
Commercial VNC remote access tool with a free Lite plan for personal use.
RealVNC Connect is a closed-source VNC tool with cloud connectivity, and its free Lite plan is limited to three devices for personal, non-commercial use.
HopToDesk
Free, open-source remote desktop tool with end-to-end encryption, file transfer and live chat.
HopToDesk is free and open source with end-to-end encryption, free commercial use and iOS support, though its licence is not stated on the homepage.
Remote Utilities
Remote desktop software for Windows with unattended access, cloud relay or a self-hosted server.
Remote Utilities is closed source with an optional self-hosted relay and a one-time licence, though Windows is its main platform.
Also worth comparing
These listings name RustDesk as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
AeroAdmin
Portable remote desktop tool for Windows that connects over the internet without installation or configuration.
RustDesk is open source under AGPL-3.0 and lets you run your own relay server, with clients for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android instead of Windows only.
AnyViewer
Remote desktop software from AOMEI for accessing and supporting computers from a PC, Mac or phone.
RustDesk is open source under AGPL-3.0 and lets you run your own relay server, so sessions need not pass through a vendor's cloud.
Dayon!
An open-source Java remote assistance tool for watching and controlling a family member's or friend's computer.
RustDesk shows the full-colour screen with Windows, macOS, Linux and Android clients under AGPL-3.0, and can use your own relay server instead of the public one.
DeskIn
Remote desktop app for controlling another computer, offered as a free download and mobile apps.
RustDesk is open source and supports your own relay server, but has Android and desktop clients without iOS.
DWService
A free, open-source remote access service that lets you reach computers from a web browser.
RustDesk uses native clients rather than a browser controller and can run through your own relay server, under the AGPL-3.0 licence.
Getscreen.me
A browser-based remote desktop service for controlling and supporting computers from any web browser.
RustDesk is open source under AGPL-3.0 with self-hosted relay servers and native clients, plus a web client you host yourself.
GNOME Remote Desktop
A remote desktop server for GNOME that lets you connect to your Linux machine over RDP or VNC.
RustDesk is an AGPL-3.0 tool with its own clients and self-hosted relay, but Wayland support on Linux has been a moving target.
GoToMyPC
A paid remote access service for reaching your own Mac or PC from any device.
RustDesk is open source under AGPL-3.0 and can run through your own relay server, removing the subscription and the dependence on a vendor cloud.
HelpWire
A free remote support service for connecting to and controlling Windows, macOS and Linux computers.
RustDesk is open source under AGPL-3.0 and can run on your own relay server, so support sessions need not use a vendor's service.
Iperius Remote
Remote desktop and remote support software for Windows, macOS, Linux and mobile devices.
RustDesk is open source under AGPL-3.0 with self-hosted relay servers and client branding, though it lacks an iOS client.
ISL Online
Commercial remote desktop software for customer support and unattended access to remote computers.
RustDesk is open source under AGPL-3.0 with self-hosted relay servers, while some management features require the paid Pro server.
Krfb
A KDE desktop sharing server that lets another person view or control your session through VNC.
RustDesk is an AGPL-3.0 cross-platform remote desktop with its own client and optional self-hosted relay, rather than a standard VNC server.
LiteManager
Remote administration and remote desktop software with a free edition for up to 30 computers.
RustDesk is open source under AGPL-3.0 and lets you run your own relay server with Docker Compose. Some management features sit behind the paid Pro server.
LogMeIn Pro
A paid remote access service for reaching and controlling your own computers from anywhere.
RustDesk is open source and lets you run your own relay server instead of relying on a hosted service, with clients for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.
Parsec
A low-latency remote desktop app for reaching a work or gaming computer from another device.
RustDesk is open source and lets you run your own relay server, with clients for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.
Quick Assist
A Microsoft app for sharing a Windows or macOS screen with a helper over a remote connection.
RustDesk is open source under AGPL-3.0, supports Linux and Android, and can run through your own relay server instead of a vendor's.
RemotePC
Subscription remote access software for reaching your own computers or supporting other people's machines.
RustDesk is open source and lets you self-host the relay server, avoiding per-computer plan caps, with clients for Windows, macOS, Linux and Android.
Splashtop
Commercial remote access and remote support software for controlling computers from other devices.
RustDesk is open source under AGPL-3.0 and lets you run your own relay server, replacing a commercial cloud, though some management features need the paid Pro server.
Supremo
Lightweight remote desktop software for remote support and unattended access on PC and Mac.
RustDesk is open source under AGPL-3.0, adds a Linux client and lets you host your own relay server, while some management features sit behind a paid Pro server.
TigerVNC
A fast, cross-platform VNC client and server built for real work, including 3D and video over the wire.
RustDesk swaps VNC for its own AGPL-3.0 remote desktop with self-hostable relay servers and Android clients, though some management features sit behind a paid Pro server.
TightVNC
Lightweight VNC server and viewer for local network remote control.
RustDesk replaces direct VNC with an AGPL-3.0 tool that uses relay servers you can host yourself, adding macOS and Android clients and a self-hosted web client.
ToDesk
Remote desktop software for remote control, file transfer, gaming and support across desktop and mobile.
RustDesk is open source under AGPL-3.0 and lets you self-host the relay server, though it has no iOS client listed and Pro management features are paid.
UltraViewer
A lightweight Windows remote desktop tool for supporting clients by controlling their computer.
RustDesk is open source under AGPL-3.0, runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and Android, and can use your own relay server.
Zoho Assist
Cloud-based remote support and unattended access software for IT teams, help desks and MSPs.
RustDesk is AGPL-3.0 open source and lets you run your own relay server instead of a hosted cloud, though some management features need the paid Pro server.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Tailscale
Builds a private network between your own devices using WireGuard, without opening ports or running a server.
Remmina
The standard Linux remote desktop client, with plugins for RDP, VNC, SSH, SPICE and X2Go behind one connection list.
Tactical RMM
A self-hosted remote monitoring and management tool with agents for Windows, Linux and macOS.
Apache Guacamole
A self-hosted remote desktop gateway that gives browser access to machines over VNC, RDP and SSH.
Devolutions Gateway
Relay remote-access connections through a dedicated gateway.
